From the moment Beast rescued Belle from the wolves, the entire dynamic between the duo changed forever more. As the grateful beauty tended her saviour's wound, Beast finally realized that Princess ervilha had been right all along. All he had to do to earn Belle's respect was be a better person. And from that dia forward, that's exactly what he did.
    "Belle," ervilha exclaimed, jumping on her bed, "I can't believe you're falling in amor with a hairy animal. You must have been understating when you said none of the men in your little town understood you."
    "Oh, well, it's true that Beast and I have become fond of each other, but I would never think of using the word love." Belle was flipping through a book she'd borrowed from the Beast's library. "After all, I'm still a prisoner here."
    "True," Princess ervilha was trying on dresses from the talking wardrobe she'd befriended. "So, be honest, why aren't you miserable here? I mean, don't you resent that monster? If it weren't for him, you'd be início with your friends right now, free as a bird."
    "Well, to be honest, I don't really have many friends where I'm from," Belle sighed. "The only person who makes an effort to include me is a man who's ego is far bigger than his brain. Everyone seems to find me odd and I can't understand why."
    "That sucks," ervilha felt genuinely. "Well, at least you're pretty. I'm an outcast as well. All my friends were stuck-up bitches who have no doubt forgotten about me por now. I ran away weeks atrás after being told my entire kingdom hated me and wanted me dead."
    "Well, maybe it's fate," Belle suggested. "Have you considered that all of the hard things you've gone though, like feeling alone and misunderstood, might be the first steps towards a brighter future?"
    "Okay, what book are you reading, anyway? Oprah's guide to success?" ervilha laughed. "I guess being exiled has had it's benefits...I mean, I've become mais independent and I never would have met Conrad otherwise. Maybe you should take your own advice, Belle..."
    "What do you mean?"
    "Just keep in mind that maybe being taken to an encantada castelo where another misfit lives might me be part of your destiny. Just a thought. Oh, and por the way, this golden vestido is the one I think you should wear to jantar with Beast tonight. It's gorge." ervilha blew a kiss and left the room.
    Meanwhile, in the West Wing, Beast and Conrad were exchanging thoughts. Lumiere was also present.
    "So, tonight's the night, huh, big guy?" Conrad teased. "Confessing your love?"
    "I don't know if I can go through with this," Beast admitted his insecurity.
    "You don't have time to be timid," Lumiere insisted.
    "He's right," agreed Conrad. "Besides, I'm the one who should be nervous...Tonight, I'm proposing to Pea."
    "Congratulations, Monsieur!" Lumiere applauded.
    "I better go and get ready," Conrad hurried to his room. But inside was not Princess Pea...but a tall woman with grayish blonde hair and a crown. It was queen Annalynne.
    "Hello Conrad," she smiled.
    "Your majesty," Conrad bowed nervously. "Where is Pea-I mean, your daughter, the princess?"
    "She's in a carriage far away right now," replied the Queen. "There have been negotiations between my kingdom and the South Valley Kingdom. Their heir, Prince Bartholomew, has asked for Pea's hand in marriage. Of course, as you've journeyed alongside Princess ervilha for the last few weeks, I'm sure you can imagine how thrilled she was. She insisted she be taken to the South Valley to meet her fiancé immediately."
    "She...she wants to marry Prince Bartholomew?" Conrad tried to hold back a tear. "But, your majesty, I've fallen in amor with your daughter. And I'm almost certain she feels the same way."
    "Is that so?" Annalynne's voice stung like ice. "Well, I must say, she was rather talented in hiding this emotion if what you say is true. She was practically overjoyed when I gave her the news. I believe her exact words were 'Fantastic! I can finally go back to living the good life!' It's a dream come true for her, don't you see?"
    "But, I-"
    "Which is why if you truly amor her, you'll leave her alone," the queen insisted. "Come now, Conrad. It's time to let go of this childish fantasy. She is a princess. I don't think it's necessary for me to point out how far beneath her you are. Perhaps if you end up taking after your father, you'll get to work for her someday. But that's the closest you'll be getting. Anyway, there's another carriage coming for me at the gates in five minutos so I'd best be on my way."
    Conrad was left standing alone in the room, heartbroken that ervilha had abandoned him so suddenly. He knew that it was unlikely he would ever see her again...which is why he opened the window and tossed his ring into the snow.

(End Of Part 21)